I am writing this at the request of my wife who is currently in oldham royal. She was transferred to oldham from rochdale infirmary after breaking her femur for the 2nd time.

Since being there she has had to constantly ask for most things? She was put on traction for a week, which meant that she had to lie on her back. Suffering from osteo porosis, she, suffers pain if she stays in one position for too long, thus, that week was horrendous for her.

I know that staff on the wards are very busy, but, from what she has told me they must walk ariund with their eyes closed?

She has constantly had to ask for the weight of her traction apparatus to be "hoisted" off the floor, as, when it reaches the floor the pain in her leg is unbearable.

Various answers from staff simply do not make sense? She has been told that no_one is available who can reset the weight & had to wait over 2hrs in agony until a qualified nurse came on duty? How hard is it to raise a weight on a pully?

On another occassion she asked a member of staff to raise the weight & was told "in a minute, i'm very busy"? The member of staff then continued making beds??

She had to wait over 40mins. Before having to demand the member of staff stop making beds & give her some pain relief? Begrudgingly, the member of staff gave her some painkillers, but, was "off hand" because my wife had raised her voice? Would she like to wait in agony whilst a bed was being made up?

When she was in the recovery unit after her op, the staff were very obliging, & adjusted some pillows at my wifes back, so she could get more comfortable!

When she was taken back to the ward, she was told to lie flat on her back, & the pillows were rearranged??

She pleaded with the member of staff, but,was told that the theatre staff were wrong to have "propped" her up in that way? We later found out the theatre staff were right!

Anything else?

It would appear that staff have to prioritise what they do? How crazy is it though that staff think making beds is more important that seeing to a patient who is in pain?

It would be nice if all staff were prepared to listen to patients, instead of going ahead & doing things that leaves the patient in agony. After all, no-one like being in hospital, so it would be better if staff were more considerate to the patients needs?

There are some staff that are excellent. It;s just a pity that all staff do not have refresher courses in bedside care!

Putting bedmaking before seeing to a person in pain is just ridiculous. And, having a "i know better attitude" should not exist when the patient makes simple requests that does not interfere with recovery.

Responses

Thank you for taking the time to inform of us of your wife’s experiences whilst staying at the Royal Oldham Hospital. We are very sorry to hear that treatment that she has been receiving is not how either of you would like or expect it to be. We understand that this must be distressing for both yourself and your wife.

We are keen to try and resolve these issues with you. If you would like to please contact the PALS service on 0161 627 8678, they will be able to investigate this further for you.